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Have you ever noticed the color of mucus when you have a cold? If you pay attention, the color of the mucus produced is not always the same. Sometimes they are yellow, green, brown, or even reddish. So what does the color of snot mean for the health of your body?
Color clear mucus
Clear mucus is generally thin and transparent. This is a sign that there is an increase in mucus production. However, in general, clear mucus does not indicate a specific health problem. Every day we produce about 4 cups of mucus to keep the lining of the nose moist and as an antidote to fungi, viruses, bacteria and pollutants.
White mucus
Winter is usually prone to colds, allergies and dehydration. This occurs when the nasal hair cells are injured due to inflammation, so that the mucus is difficult to pass and loses moisture which causes the mucus to turn white. Even so, white mucus is still considered normal.
Yellow snot
Basically, the color changes depending on how much mucus is in the nose as well as the severity of the inflammation that is being experienced. If your runny nose is yellow, it means you may have an infection or sinusitis, provided that the cold has persisted for more than ten days.
Light yellow mucus means your body is fighting something, such as a fever. Yellow mucus doesn't mean you have to see a doctor, it's a normal symptom as a form of defense. However, if these symptoms last more than a week, sometimes accompanied by fever, headache, or coughing up mucus, this is a sign that you should see a doctor.
Green snot
Green mucus means you have a bacterial or fungal infection. The green color is produced by white blood cells that respond to infection or inflammation. When your nasal cavity is inflamed, it will swell. This causes mucus to get trapped and fungus to grow.
Red or pink snot
The blush of mucus is blood that comes from a damaged blood vessel. This occurs when you may sneeze too hard or because the lining of the nose is too dry, causing blood vessels in the nasal cavity to burst.
Black snot
The dark color of mucus means that you are inhaling too much pollutant or smoke. If you breathe in ash, dust, dirt, smoke or other similar substances, the mucus will trap it with mucus that makes it black.
In more serious cases, black mucus can indicate a chronic sinus infection or fungal infection. However, in the end you should immediately consult a doctor if there is a complaint that is not normal to you.
